Gnats? in Copal

[Buffalopterus]

Here is my first contribution since moving to South Carolina. I visited the Greenville Gem, Mineral and Fossil show yesterday and purchased two specimens. The dealer exhibited about 30 quarter-size specimens labeled Columbian Amber. Upon close inspection, he pointed out to me two in particular which entombed insects. Being specialized in the stratigraphy and paleontology of the Devonian and Silurian invertebrates of NY as well as fossil preparation, I know nothing of insects in Amber. I brought them home and examined both pieces under my binocular microscope and using approximately 14X magnification actually noted 6 insects in one piece and 7 insects in the other piece. Photographing them proved very difficult as my camera does not attach to the microscope, so these photos were carefully taken multiple times with a smart phone. I apologize for the poorer quality, yet it was the best I could do.

 

I would like to point out that Google refers to Columbian "Amber" as actually Columbian "Copal". My understanding is that Copal is sap from deciduous trees and true Amber is resin from coniferous trees. Another distinguishing characteristic according to Google is that Copal is between 5000 and 5 million years old whereas Amber, particularly Baltic Amber, is about 40 million years old.

 

The insects appear to be some kind of gnat and are about the size of a pen point. They bring to mind the modern-day No-see-ums from the Gulf Coast of Florida and whether in some way they are related. Luckily, they are no longer biting! 

 

So if anyone can provide additional insight into Columbian Amber vs Columbian Copal, it is much appreciated. Additionally if anyone can provide identification of these insects, it too is much appreciated.

 

Buffalopterus

 

Edited October 27 by Buffalopterus

[Randyw]

Hello! There are no proven amber locations in Columbia.  And yes all the pieces sold as columbian amber are actually copal! Yes. There has been an unverified report of a spot that supposedly was amber but during testing none of the pieces were confirmed. All samples tested out as much younger. Most in the 10,000 year range. A few less then 500 years.  But most between 10k and 1 Mya. A few years back I read a report that a group of scientists dug a bunch of test pits in various regions and all of the material they recovered and tested was copal.  Columbian copal typically range from 10,000 years to 1 mill. With some being even younger….There are many many sellers that list it as columbian amber or young amber. Because amber is generally considered more collectible and valuable then copal but there are no known amber deposits in Columbia. All amber and copal are technically resins. The difference it as the resin ages it loses volitile chemicals and hardens. Most are considered amber at around 5 Mya depending on conditions. There are a couple scientists that think it’s more accurate to call it resin, ancient resin, and fossilized resin instead of resin, copal, and amber. Because copal is still hardening and not as brittle it is often found in larger chunks. But it is far more prone to crazing and fracturing as it ages. Also columbian copal is often hardened in an autoclave to make it hard enough to polish and use for jewelry wich is why it’s sometimes known as fake amber

copal and amber can be from many different trees. It’s the amount of violitile chemicals inside that determines whether it’s amber or copal. The oldest amber that has been found is 320 million years old. For instance burmese amber is from the cretacious. Baltic is between 34 and 54 million years and so forth.

hope this helps answer your question!

Edited October 27 by Randyw

[Buffalopterus]

Randyw,

 

Thank you very much for clarifying the differences between amber and copal resins. This is very interesting and helpful. Again, I never looked at these resins before having specialized in Dev and Silurian rocks and fossils; so I find this intriguing. Do you have any input as to the species of insects? 

 

Stephen

[Randyw]

Unfortunatly no I don’t. The pictures aren’t clear enough for a good i.d. with as young as copal is many of these are currently existing insects so a good insect i.d. Guide would probably help you.

[Buffalopterus]

Thanks again,

Stephen